What Is an Anoxic Brain Injury?

When we think of brain injuries, we usually think about someone getting hit in the head really hard. But there are other ways a person could suffer from brain damage. One way is through a lack of oxygen, or what’s medically called hypoxia. This is called an anoxic brain injury.

There are four types of anoxic brain injury, and they can be caused by any number of reasons. Regardless of the reason, however, without oxygen, the brain begins to die after four minutes.

1. Anemic Anoxia

First is anemic anoxia, which is caused by the blood not being able to carry enough oxygen to the brain. This is often caused by lung diseases that don’t get enough oxygen in the blood. Anemic anoxia can also be caused by chronic anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and acute hemorrhaging.

2. Toxic Anoxia

As the name suggests, toxic anoxia is caused by toxins in the body that prevent oxygen in the blood from being used properly. This can also be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as illegal drug use and chemicals used in industrial workplaces.

3. Toxic Anoxia

Third, stagnant anoxia, also called hypoxicischemic injury, is caused by an internal problem that blocks enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. These types of brain injuries are often caused by issues like strokes, cardiac arrest, and cardiac arrhythmia.

4. Anoxic Anoxia

Finally, anoxic anoxia is caused by a lack of enough oxygen in the air. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to anoxic anoxia, as can being at high altitudes. Drowning can also lead to anoxic anoxia. Without enough oxygen in the air, both a person’s body and brain suffocates.

Any kind of brain injury should be considered very serious. If you’ve suffered an anoxic brain injury, and it was caused by someone else, such as because of medical malpractice, you have legal rights.

At Steinger, Iscoe and Greene, we can help brain injury victims on South Florida get the compensation they deserve. We’ve recovered over $1 billion on behalf of our clients. Call us today to see how much we can get you!